Sports dispatches Jan. 1

DOHA, Qatar – Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray opened their new seasons with first-round wins at the Qatar Open on the last day of 2013.

Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Year's Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed.

Top-ranked Nadal breezed through the opening set, but was tested in the second set by Lukas Rosol before securing a 6-2, 7-6 (7) win on his fifth match point of the tiebreaker.

Second-seeded David Ferrer had a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win over Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine, while defending champion Richard Gasquet advanced with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Egyptian wildcard recipient Karim Hossam.

McIlroy, Wozniacki engaged

KAPALUA, Hawaii – Rory McIlroy is claiming his first win of the new year – his engagement to tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

One of the top power couples in sports announced their engagement on Twitter. A spokesman for McIlroy confirmed that he popped the question in Sydney, where Wozniacki is preparing for the Australian Open.

Wilmington men top Shippensburg

NEWARK – The Wilmington University men's basketball team picked up its third win in the last four games as it defeated Shippensburg 77-67 on Tuesday afternoon in nonconference action.

Including their exhibition win over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Dec. 21, the Wildcats (6-8l) have won three games in a row and are now 3-0 on the season against PSAC foes with the victory over Shippensburg (1-9).

Five Wilmington players reached double-digits, led by Shaq Monroe-Gaskins, who came off the bench to score 17 points. Shai Henry posted 10 points and a game high 10 rebounds for Wilmington.

Junior Valentino Thompson added 11 points, eight rebounds and a game high five assists. Rashaun Rasheed chipped in with 13 points, while Herb Dennis finished with 11 points.

Goldey-Beacom men lose fourth straight

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Goldey-Beacom College men's basketball team lost its fourth straight game as it fell to Lock Haven 77-61 in a nonconference game on Tuesday afternoon.

Lock Haven (6-4) shot 50 per cent from the field and went 5 for 8 from 3-point range. It marked the third consecutive game Lock Haven has made at least 50 per cent of its field goal attempts.

Donte McGill led the Lightning (4-7) with 17 points off the bench. Chris Gebhart scored 12 points while grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots.